40 Strategy Blog

AI is moving faster than most businesses realize. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Trent Gillespie, former Amazon executive and CEO of Stellis AI, breaks down what business leaders need to understand about AI agents, automation, and organizational readiness. We discuss: • Why prompts are no longer the main conversation • How AI agents are changing work • What leaders should do to prepare employees for change • Why businesses need visibility in AI search and recommendation systems • How organizations can build AI adoption without overwhelming teams If you think AI is only about saving time, this episode will challenge that assumption. Listen now and start building for your future customer. Connect with Trent:  LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/trentgillespie   Website https://trentgillespie.live     Check out this episode!

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Ryan Hogan , founder and CEO of Talent Harbor , about entrepreneurship, leadership, recruiting, and recovering from failure. Ryan shares the story of building a zombie-themed event company that scaled quickly before collapsing into bankruptcy. He explains the stress, lessons, and rebuilding process that followed. He also discusses launching Hunt A Killer, scaling the business to more than $55M in revenue, and eventually exiting the company. You will learn: • Why great businesses need the right people • How top sales talent changes company growth • What companies miss when hiring salespeople • Why peer groups matter for leaders • How Ryan rebuilt after losing everything If you lead a business, hire talent, or want practical lessons on growth and resilience, this episode is worth your time. Listen now and follow the Measure Success Podcast for more leadership and strategy conversations.   Check out this ...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Rich Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Anura.io, about entrepreneurship, leadership, company culture, and digital ad fraud. Rich shares lessons from building multiple successful technology companies over the past three decades while staying committed to family and long-term relationships. The conversation covers leadership, work-life balance, remote work, scaling teams, and how businesses lose billions each year to fraudulent digital traffic. You will learn: • Why entrepreneurs regret not taking the risk • How strong company culture improves retention • What ad fraud is costing businesses today • How leaders can protect both growth and family priorities If you lead a business, manage marketing spend, or want to build a healthier company culture, this episode is worth your time. Listen now and follow the Measure Success Podcast for more leadership and strategy conversations. Connect with Rich:  LinkedIn https:...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl talks with Trey Taylor about the real impact of AI on business today. AI is not coming, it is already reshaping how companies operate, compete, and grow. Trey shares how AI tools can replace entire workflows, reduce costs, and unlock new value in minutes. One example: AI identified over $146K in financial adjustments, adding more than $1.5M in value to a business deal.  Key takeaways: AI is moving from tools to autonomous agents Businesses must adapt now, not later Cost structures and roles are changing fast Daily learning and application create advantage Listen now to understand what is changing and how to respond. Connect with Trey:  LinkedIn   Facebook   Twitter  Book: A CEO Only Does Three Things: Finding Your Focus in the C-Suite Website   Check out this episode!

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with Jason Sherwood, founder of Phase 23, to discuss how businesses can stand out in a crowded market. As AI reshapes search and marketing, many companies struggle to stay visible. Jason explains why strong positioning and clear messaging still matter most. They explore a simple exercise: ask your best customers to describe your company in two words. If the answers are not consistent, your brand lacks clarity. Key takeaways: AI is changing how customers search and find businesses Clear positioning reduces price competition Strong messaging builds trust and drives growth Branding is not design—it is strategy Listen now to learn how to sharpen your message and build a brand that connects. Connect with Jason:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsherwood/   Website  https://phase23.com/   Check out this episode!

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox welcomes back Adi Klevit from Business Success Consulting Group. They discuss how strong systems, clear processes, and smart use of AI help businesses grow faster and operate better.  Adi explains why documented procedures matter, how leaders can improve hiring and workflows, and why AI still needs human oversight. She also shares trends she sees in the market and how business owners can stay efficient without adding chaos.  If you want stronger operations and better results, this episode is packed with practical advice. Listen now. Connect with Adi:  Website:  https://www.bizsuccesscg.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiklevit/   Check out this episode!